Russia blames drones launched from Libya for tanker sinking

A Russian gas tanker sank off the Libyan coast after an explosion that Moscow blamed on Ukrainian drones operating from Libya, as reported by the Arab Weekly and agencies on March 5th.

The ship, known as Arctic Metagaz, caught fire on March 3rd and sank the following day in waters between Libya and Malta. Libya’s maritime rescue agency said the tanker exploded and caught fire before sinking.

Russia’s transport ministry said the vessel had been attacked by Ukrainian sea drones. According to Moscow, the drones were launched from Libya; however, the Ukrainian Security Service has not responded to requests for confirmation.

The tanker was carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) at the time of the attack. Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure during the war, but if confirmed, this would mark its first strike on an LNG tanker.

According to Ukraine, these strikes are aimed at reducing revenues supporting Russia’s military operation; the tanker is part of Russia’s wider energy transport network.

Libya’s state-owned National Oil Corporation has denied having any involvement with the tanker, claiming that the vessel had been en route to Port Said in Egypt.

However, Egypt’s petroleum ministry also denied any connection, stating that the tanker was not bound for any Egyptian ports.

Other vessels have been warned by Libya’s maritime authorities to avoid the site and to report any pollution. One industry source said any spill would likely be limited to the fuel oil on board.

The incident occurred in the Mediterranean close to North Africa. Most attacks linked to the war between Russia and Ukraine have previously taken place in the Black Sea or within Russian and Ukrainian territory.

Furthermore, this suspected drone attack places the war in Ukraine along Mediterranean shipping routes close to North Africa. It raises concerns about the potential for the conflict to spill over into the region.

In recent years, Libya’s natural gas exports to the European Union have declined significantly due to Russia’s war in Ukraine and countries’ efforts to reduce reliance on Russian pipeline gas.

The Arab Weekly and agencies, Maghrebi.org